PANAGIOTIS KALAITZIS

Current occupation

Project Manager

Work experience

Council of Europe – Trainer
Brussels, Belgium | “Level Up!” Event on Hate Speech & Counter Narratives (2023)
Selected as a trainer for Council of Europe, “Level Up!” event by the European Youth Forum, working with youth activists aged 18–30 from across Europe and beyond. Delivered workshops and interactive sessions on hate speech, counter and alternative narratives, and digital activism. Sessions were rooted in human rights education and non-formal education principles, supporting participants to build their own local/national action plans.
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Youth Social Rights Network (YSRN) – Trainer in Study Sessions
Strasbourg & Budapest | 2022–ongoing
Trainer in multiple Study Sessions co-organized with the Council of Europe’s Youth Department, focusing on the rights of young refugees and migrants. Topics included hate speech, social inclusion, storytelling as a tool for empowerment, and human rights education. Participants were youth workers, activists, and young people from CoE member states (ages 18–30), and sessions combined experiential learning with focused reflection.
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Erasmus+ Youth Exchange – Facilitator
Greece | “Nature & Well-being” Youth Exchange (2024)
Led facilitation for an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange targeting participants aged 12–18 from four countries (Greece, Denmark, Armenia, Georgia). Designed and implemented interactive workshops on mental health, resilience, nature-based learning, and emotional expression. Used creative tools such as media creation, outdoor activities, and team-building games to support inclusion and personal growth.

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I Participate NGO – Project Manager
Greece | 2019–2024
Managed Erasmus+ KA1 and KA2 projects focused on youth empowerment, inclusion, and environmental awareness. Responsibilities included:
-Writing and submitting project proposals (KA1, KA2)
-Coordinating international partnerships and consortia
-Managing participant selection and preparation
-Overseeing implementation and reporting
-Ensuring alignment with funding rules and impact objectives
-Led the organization’s participation in high-level advocacy spaces such as consultations with EU youth platforms and national stakeholder dialogues.
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Youthwavers – Co-founder & Coordinator
Greece | 2024–ongoing
Co-founded an informal youth group promoting climate action, inclusion, and active citizenship. Youthwavers runs a local-to-national community hub, supporting young people (ages 15–30) through:
-Organizing local workshops, info days, and outreach actions
-Writing and coordinating Erasmus+ and local grants
-Managing budgets and fundraising for sustainability
-Sending and hosting participants in international mobility projects
-Collaborating with schools, NGOs, and municipalities
Youthwavers is currently expanding to multiple Greek cities and forming strategic partnerships across Europe.
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EU Youth Advocacy – Speaker & Delegate
European Parliament (Brussels), UNODC (Vienna)
Represented youth-led climate and inclusion initiatives in high-level policy spaces. Presented policy proposals and recommendations to Members of the European Parliament and during youth sessions at the UN in Vienna. Focus areas included:
-Climate justice and sustainability
-Youth participation in decision-making
-Digital rights and combating hate speech